Michael ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino Partners With Community Ambassadors for Reset Reality to Spread Awareness of Opioid Prescription Painkiller Addiction

(BPT) – Today, opioid prescription painkiller addiction – also known as opioid dependence – affects millions of Americans, and the number is growing. In an effort to spread the word that people living with this chronic disease do not need to face it alone, Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. partnered with Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino and community ambassadors from across the country to launch a new public health initiative, “Reset Reality.” Reset Reality aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the prevalence, science and treatment of opioid dependence. Michael and the community ambassadors hope to get the word out that people don’t have to face the fight alone and can help to reset their situation by working with a doctor to manage prescription painkiller addiction.

Reset Reality: Education, Resources and Ways to Get Involved

Reset Reality is designed to encourage Americans living with prescription painkiller addiction to get the facts, self-reflect and hit the “reset” button by working with a doctor to help create a new “reality.” Educational resources, tools and the Reset Reality ambassadors’ personal recovery stories can all be accessed on ResetReality.com. Visitors can learn about opioid dependence and treatment, complete a symptom screener and use a locator tool to find a doctor that is certified to treat opioid prescription painkiller and heroin addiction. Visitors also will find personal stories from the “Reset Reality” ambassadors about their decision to seek help and ongoing efforts to manage their opioid dependence today.

To join the initiative, individuals can share their reality of battling addiction or show support for anyone who is trying to change their addiction situation by providing inspirational words of support on ResetReality.com, downloading a badge from the website or using #ResetReality on Facebook or Twitter.

Michael Sorrentino: The Real “Situation”

Michael personally struggled with prescription painkiller addiction until finally seeking help in 2012. He now wants to help motivate other Americans struggling with the disease to reset and get on the path toward a new reality.

“There is strength in numbers. We need to come together as a community to show the world this disease can be overcome,” Michael said. “Through the right treatment approach for me, and support of my family, I was able to ‘reset my reality.’ I want people to know that no matter what the situation, a healthy and positive recovery may be possible.”

Michael has found that a daily medication that he took in rehab and now takes daily by prescription from his doctor called SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film (CIII) along with counseling has worked best for him. Through the initiative, the public is encouraged to work with a doctor, like the “Reset Reality” ambassadors did, to determine what treatment will work best for them or a loved one.
To learn more, visit ResetReality.com.

Indication

SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film (CIII) is a prescription medicine used for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence as part of a complete treatment plan to include counseling and behavioral therapy.

Important Safety Information

Do not take SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious negative effects, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported.

SUBOXONE Sublingual Film can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids, legal or illicit.

SUBOXONE (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film contains buprenorphine, an opioid that can cause physical dependence with chronic use. Physical dependence is not the same as addiction. Your doctor can tell you more about the difference between physical dependence and drug addiction. Do not stop taking SUBOXONE Sublingual Film suddenly without talking to your doctor. You could become sick with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms because your body has become used to this medicine.

SUBOXONE Sublingual Film can cause serious life-threatening breathing problems, overdose and death, particularly when taken by the intravenous (IV) route in combination with benzodiazepines or other medications that act on the nervous system (ie, sedatives, tranquilizers, or alcohol). It is extremely dangerous to take nonprescribed benzodiazepines or other medications that act on the nervous system while taking SUBOXONE Sublingual Film.

You should not drink alcohol while taking SUBOXONE, as this can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

Death has been reported in those who are not opioid dependent.

Your doctor may monitor liver function before and during treatment.

Keep SUBOXONE Sublingual Film out of the sight and reach of children. Accidental or deliberate ingestion of SUBOXONE Sublingual Film by a child can cause severe breathing problems and death.

Do not take SUBOXONE Sublingual Film before the effects of other opioids (eg, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone) have subsided as you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Injecting SUBOXONE may cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, sleep problems, and cravings.

Before taking SUBOXONE, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking SUBOXONE, alert your doctor immediately as there may be significant risks to you and your baby; your baby may have symptoms of withdrawal at birth. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking SUBOXONE, you should report it using the contact information provided below.*

Before taking SUBOXONE, talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

SUBOXONE can pass into your milk and may harm the baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take SUBOXONE. Breast-feeding is not recommended while taking SUBOXONE.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any other dangerous activities until you know how SUBOXONE affects you. Buprenorphine in SUBOXONE can cause drowsiness and slow reaction times during dose-adjustment periods.

Common side effects of SUBOXONE Sublingual Film include nausea, vomiting, drug withdrawal syndrome, headache, sweating, numb mouth, constipation, painful tongue, redness of the mouth, intoxication (feeling lightheaded or drunk), disturbance in attention, irregular heartbeat, decrease in sleep, blurred vision, back pain, fainting, dizziness, and sleepiness.

This is not a complete list of potential adverse events associated with SUBOXONE Sublingual Film. Please see full Product Information for a complete list.

*To report negative side effects associated with taking SUBOXONE (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for SUBOXONE Sublingual Film.

For more information about SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Tablets (CIII), please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.